THOMAS
McLAUGHLIN was one of the original members of the Camden Fire Department,
entering service on December 7, 1869 as the stoker of Engine Company 1.
He was born in Delaware in February of 1840. Prior to entering the fire department he had worked as an ship carpenter. He was living at 907
South
4th Street when he joined the
department in the fall of 1869.

On September 2, 1869 City Council enacted a municipal
ordinance creating a paid fire department. It provided for the annual
appointment of five Fire Commissioners, one Chief Marshal (Chief of
Department)
and two Assistant Marshals. The City was also divided into two fire
districts. The boundary line ran east and west, starting at Bridge
Avenue and following the tracks of the Camden and Amboy Railroad to
the city limits. District 1 was south of this line and District 2 was
north. The commissioners also appointed the firemen who were
scheduled to work six 24 hour tours per week. William
Abels, from the
Weccacoe Hose Company No. 2 was appointed Chief Marshal with William
J. Mines, from the Independence Fire Company No. 3 as Assistant Marshal
for the 1st District, and William H. Shearman as the Assistant Marshal
for the 2nd District. Abels
had served with the volunteer fire
departments of Philadelphia, Mobile, Alabama and Camden for sixteen
years prior to his appointment as Chief of the paid force.

On
November 10, 1869 City Council purchased the Independence Firehouse,
the three-story brick building at 409 Pine
Street, for $4500. The
building was designated to serve as quarters for Engine Company 1
and
the 1st District. On October 29, 1869 City Council authorized
construction of a two-story brick building on the northwest corner of Fifth and
Arch
Streets as quarters for the 2nd District. On November
25th the Fire Commissioners signed a contract with M.N. Dubois in the
amount of $3100 to erect this structure. The 2nd District would share
these quarters with
Engine Company 2 and the Hook
& Ladder Company and the facility would also serve as department headquarters
for the new paid force. The original contract remains part of the
Camden County Historical Society collection.

Two
Amoskeag second class, double pump, straight frame steam engines were
purchased at a cost of $4250 each. Two Silsby two wheel hose carts,
each of which carried 1000 feet of hose, were another $550 each and
the hook & ladder, built by Schanz and Brother of Philadelphia was
$900. Each engine company received a steam engine and hose cart.
Amoskeag serial #318 went to Engine Company 1, and serial #319 to
Engine Company 2. The Fire Commission also secured the services of the
Weccacoe and Independence steamers in case of fire prior to delivery
of the new apparatus. Alfred McCully of Camden made the harnesses for
the horses. Camden's Twoes & Jones made the overcoats for the new
firemen and a Mr. Morley, also of Camden, supplied the caps and belts
which were manufactured by the Migeod Company of Philadelphia. The new
members were also issued badges.

This
is the earliest known photo of fire headquarters on the northwest
corner of Fifth and
Arch
Streets. Originally built in 1869, the
building shows signs of wear some twenty years later. Note the
weathervane shaped like a fireman's speaking trumpet atop the tower.
Also, the fire alarm bell is pictured to the left of the telegraph
pole above the rooftop. The bell was removed from the building once
the fire alarm telegraph system was expanded and in good working
order.

This
maker's plate once was attached to a harness made by A. McCully &
Sons, 22 Market Street, Camden, New Jersey. This firm provided the
first harnesses for the paid fire department in 1869.

Badges
worn by the marshals, engineers, stokers and engine drivers bore the
initial letter of their respective positions and their district
number. The tillerman and his driver used the number "3" to
accompany their initial letter. The extra men of the 1st District
were assigned badges 1-10; 2nd District badges were numbered 11-20 and
the extra men of the hook & ladder wore numbers 21-30.

Although
the Fire Commission intended to begin operation of the paid department
on November 20, 1869, the companies did not actually enter service
until December 7th at 6 P.M. because the new apparatus and buildings
were not ready. The new apparatus was not tried (tested) until
December
9th.

The
first style of breast badge worn by members of the career department
in the City of Camden. 1869. (Courtesy of the C.C.H.S. Collection).

Thomas
McLaughlin resigned from his position as Stoker with Engine
Company 1 of the Camden Fire Department on May 8, 1872. He was
re-appointed as an extra man with the same Company on the same date.
Edward Mead, who had been an extra man with Engine
1, took McLaughlin's place as stoker. Thomas McLaughlin was living
on John Street (later renamed Locust Street) when the change was made. He later moved to a house on Division
Street. On December 3rd, 1872 he was restored to the Stoker's
position for a short time. He does not appear to have been reappointed
in 1873,
but was reappointed in October of 1874 and served until April of
1877.

Thomas
McLaughlin later became a member of the Camden Police Department. When
the census was taken in the summer of 1880 he was working in that
capacity, and living at 207 Royden
Street with his wife Sarah and son George. Two more children would
follow, daughters Mary and Henrietta. He worked as a police officer
through at least the beginning of 1884.

The
1900 Census shows Thomas McLaughlin, ship builder, at 823 South
4th Street in Camden. He was by then a widower. His daughters lived
with him at the South 4th Street home. He appears in the 1906 City
Directory at 603 Chestnut
Street.